Further research is still being conducted in the aetiology of endometriosis which will further improve the current methods of treatment.<\/p>\n
<\/h2>\nHow Does Traditional Chinese Medicine Treat Endometriosis?<\/h2>\n
Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine have become better renowned amongst the medical community of gynaecology and women\u2019s health as an adjunct therapy to support those with diagnosed or suspected endometriosis to reduce the frequency and intensity of endometriosis-related pain and symptomatology and those who are trying to conceive naturally or with assisted technologies.<\/p>\n
Chinese medicine, however, has long recognised the importance of the menstrual cycle as a fundamental pillar of a woman\u2019s overall health and well-being and has treated painful and irregular periods through the modalities of Chinese herbal medicine and acupuncture for centuries.<\/p>\n
The principal focus in Chinese medicine is ensuring the smooth flow of the vital substances of Blood and Qi (energy) throughout the body\u2019s internal organs and meridian systems (energetic pathways that flow along the external internal surface of the body), to optimise health and wellbeing and prevent disease.<\/p>\n
There is a classical saying in Chinese medicine; \u201cWhere there is stagnation, there will be pain\u201d, thereby if there is a disruption to or \u2018holt\u2019 in the flow of Qi and Blood through the body there will be discomfort and pain. On a basic level of understanding, endometriosis is caused by a stagnation of Qi and Blood in the reproductive organs and several of the meridian systems, including Chong Mai (Sea of Blood Vessel) Ren Mai (Conception Vessel), Bao Mai (Uterus Vessel) and the Spleen, Liver and Kidney Meridian Systems).<\/p>\n
![\"Kidney](\"https:\/\/thedaohealth.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Screenshot-2023-05-15-at-3.26.03-pm-194x300.png\")
<\/p>\n
Treatment fundamentally aims to move this Qi and Blood stagnation in the pelvis to promote a smooth and pain-free menstrual cycle and optimise the environment of the reproductive organs for the purposes of conception and implantation.<\/p>\n
<\/h2>\nWhat does the research say?<\/h2>\n
A systematic review and meta-analysis conducted by Yang Xu et al<\/a>. examined several randomised control trials that investigated the effectiveness of acupuncture for endometriosis-related pain and found that acupuncture reduced pain and serum levels of CA125 levels (a marker often elevated in those with endometriosis).<\/p>\n Another 2011 systematic review<\/a> determined the effectiveness and safety of acupuncture for pain in women with a laparoscopically-confirmed diagnosis of endometriosis and found that dysmenorrhea scores were lower in women who received acupuncture compared to placebo acupuncture; similarly, auricular acupuncture (ear acupuncture) significantly reduced pain in cases of severe dysmenorrhea.<\/p>\n One small 2021 meta-analysis by Dong et. al<\/a>, looked at the results of 11 articles on the effectiveness and safety of traditional Chinese herbal medicine for the treatment of endometriosis-induce infertility and found that there were higher response and pregnancy rates in those treated with Chinese herbal medicine than the control group. Similarly, another systematic review conducted in 2011<\/a> observed the efficacy of Chinese herbal medicine for infertility and found that; of the 8 randomised control trials, 13 cohort studies, 6 case studies and 3 case series; Chinese herbal medicine showed an increase in the likelihood hood of pregnancy in a four-month period compared to western medicine and an increase in the mean pregnancy rate compared with standard western drug therapy; with a mean clinical pregnancy rate of 50% using herbal medicine compared to 30% with IVF treatment.<\/p>\n Traditional Chinese medicine will utilise a variety of modalities during treatment, including acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine, moxibustion therapy, massage, Chinese dietetics and additional vitamins and supplementation. Treatments are often scheduled alongside the menstrual cycle, optimally before ovulation and before the menstrual bleed or onset of symptoms; and for women who do not have regular periods or who are using additional long-acting forms of contraception such as intrauterine devices (IUD\u2019s) or oral contraceptive pill\u2019s (OCP\u2019s), treatments are often scheduled weekly-fortnightly or prior to the onset of pain or symptoms.<\/p>\n The current western treatment and management of endometriosis involves both medical treatment and laparoscopic surgery, despite these routes of treatment, there is a high recurrence rate of endometriosis symptoms which increases from 10% at year 1 post-treatment to 45% post 5 years of treatment. This is where Chinese medicine can be very effective to reduce the intensity and frequency of pain and associated symptoms, reduce the incidences of reoccurrence, reduce systemic inflammation, calm the central nervous system, improve quality of life and providing additional mental health support for those who may be experiencing anxiety, low-moods and depression which is unfortunately prevalent in many women with this chronic condition.<\/p>\n<\/h2>\n
Treatment with Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine<\/h2>\n